David Sachs
David cut his teeth covering transportation, development, politics, education, and art in D.C. He's covered sustainable transportation for Streetsblog since 2015 and has lived in Denver's Cheesman Park neighborhood since 2012.
Recent Posts
Bright Spot in National Western Plan: New Bike/Walk Routes
| | 2 Comments
When voters approved financing for the National Western Center project last week, they gave Mayor Michael Hancock’s administration the go-ahead to create a new neighborhood in northeast Denver. The investment in a long-neglected part of the city is overdue, according to its supporters, who say the National Western Center will anchor economic development there. At the same time, state officials have […]
Today’s Headlines
| | No Comments
Parking Along New Protected Bike Lanes Is “Complicated,” Claims ABC7 Driver Jumps Curb Onto Pedestrian Area in Cap Hill (ABC7) “Driving Retirement” for Elderly Just One More Reason to Build Better Transit Network (CPR) Hancock Rejects City Council Bid to Study Rail Safety in Urban Neighborhoods (DenPo) Boulder Might Reduce Parking Requirements (Daily Camera) Rail Advocates Help Save […]
How to Park Without Blocking the Arapahoe Street Bike Lane: A Guide
| | 1 Comment
To help people — particularly drivers — get used to the new parking-protected bike lane on Arapahoe Street, Denver Public Works put on a “parking demo” for the media. It was pretty cheesy, but the idea was to show people how to park a car, unload it, and walk across the bike lane safely to get to the sidewalk. […]
CDOT’s Bhatt: “We Are All About Alternative Modes of Transportation”
| | No Comments
Yesterday the Transit Alliance held its annual Transit Event, which honored advocates, lawmakers, and companies from the world of transit, walking, and biking. RTD Interim General Manager Dave Genova was a lock for the keynote address for obvious reasons, but the other speaker was a less obvious choice: Shailen Bhatt, executive director of the highway-inclined Colorado […]
Will RTD Do the Transparent Thing and Pay Peanuts to Record Meetings?
| | 1 Comment
RTD has an elected board that makes decisions affecting the entire Denver region, yet more than 15 years into the 21st century, the transit agency still doesn’t record or broadcast its public meetings. This, in a technological era that allows people to broadcast live videos from their phones. In May RTD Director Kent Bagley asked his colleagues to support his bid […]
Downtown Residents Lose Minds Over New Bus Stop Because Crime
| | 6 Comments
Two people who live at the IsBell Lofts downtown are rabid over a new bus stop near their building, because they think it will attract criminals or something. Here’s more from Fox31, which for some reason gave credence to their complaints by covering it: Residents of the IsBell Lofts at 1800 Lawrence St. woke up Monday to the clamor of […]
National Western Center’s Massive Parking Decks Could Cost Taxpayers a Bundle
| | 2 Comments
Denver voters decided on a number of ballot measures yesterday. One of them, which partially funds a $1.1 billion National Western Center project by extending a hotel and rental car tax, will affect how people get around in northeast Denver. The National Western Complex has been the setting for the country’s premiere stock show for more than 100 years, […]
Eyes on the Street: Progress on the Lawrence Street Transit Island
| | 9 Comments
The protected bike lanes on Lawrence and Arapahoe streets are well on their way to completion, and so is an accompanying “transit island” that will help people waiting for the bus and people on bikes get where they need to go safely. The island, also known as a “floating bus stop,” gives pedestrians a safe haven […]
How Denver’s “Most Important Pedestrian Intersection” Must Improve
| | 7 Comments
Since Union Station became the anchor for a vibrant downtown district, the area has quickly gained an identity as a place where people walk, but the surrounding streets aren’t ready for the huge influx of pedestrians expected once RTD’s massive FasTracks expansion opens next year. City planners estimate as many as 100,000 people daily will stream through the Union Station transit district once four […]
A Low-Tech Suggestion for Transportation Safety: Stop Widening City Streets
| | 6 Comments
Colorado Department of Transportation Director Shailen Bhatt on Wednesday announced a $20 million initiative to outfit the state’s roads with cutting edge technology. His goal: Eliminate roadway deaths and congestion by asking tech ventures to step in and help solve problems. The initiative, dubbed “RoadX,” will contract out the development of high-tech solutions to road troubles. Semi-autonomous vehicles, for […]
RTD Board Votes to Streamline and Expand Discounts for Low-Income Riders
| | No Comments
More than a dozen people testified at the RTD Board of Directors meeting Tuesday night in support of changes that should expand the reach of a low-cost pass program for low-income transit riders. The changes include measures to streamline a program that allows nonprofit organizations to buy discounted bus and rail tickets in bulk, and distribute them to their clients at […]
Nightmare on Downing and Mexico Streets
| | 5 Comments
Something is amiss near the corner of Downing and Mexico in southeast Denver this Halloween week. A “bizarre situation,” according to ABC7. A “neighborhood invasion.” Tiny Car2Go Smart cars parked in front of people’s homes. The horror. Here’s more from ABC7: Where are they coming from and why are they here? A neighborhood in south Denver is dealing with a […]